UECF UECF.NETLife Application Study Bible
🏠
Luke 24

Life Application Study BibleLukeChapter 24

Luke 24

New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1741, 1742, 1743, 1744

← Luke 23 Luke 24 of 24 John 1 →

A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.

24Luke 24

1But very early on Sunday morning* the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the LORD Jesus. +As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, ’that the Son of Man* must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8Then they remembered that he had said this. 9So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. ‘But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 12However, Peter jumped up and ran to the tomb to look. Stooping, he peered in and saw the empty linen wrappings; then he went home again, wondering what had happened. Jesus Appears to Two Believers Traveling on the Road (243/Mark 16:12-13) 13That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles* from Jerusalem. 14As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. 15As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. 16But God kept them from recognizing him. 17He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?” They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. 18Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “ You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.” 19“What things?” Jesus asked. “The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. 20But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. 21We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago., 22“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. 23They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! 24Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.” 25Then Jesus said to them, “ You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. 26Wasn't it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” 2” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, 29but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. 30As they sat down to eat,* he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. 31Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!. 32They said to each other, “Didn't our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” 33And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, 34who said, “The LORD has really risen! He appeared to Peter.*” Jesus Appears to His Disciples (244/John 20:19-23) 35Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. 36And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38” Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 38Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure thatlam nota ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he ate it as they watched. Jesus Appears to the Disciples in Jerusalem (249) 44Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about mein 24:44, I the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 4Then he opened, their minds to understand the Scriptures. #6And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47It was alsowrit- 94:47 ten that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations,* Acts 2:38; 10:48; beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48Youare witnesses oy4g of all these things. John 15:27 49" And now I willsend the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stayherein the city 24:43 until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Acts 211-4 Jesus Ascends into Heaven (250/Mark 16:19-20) 50Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.* 52So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 5%And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.

Textual footnotes

  1. 24:1 Greek But on the first day of the week, very early in the morning.
  2. 24:7 “Son of Man’ is a title Jesus used for himself.
  3. 24:13 Greek 60 stadia [11.1 kilometers].
  4. 24:30 Or As they reclined.
  5. 24:34 Greek Simon.
  6. 24:47 Or all peoples.
  7. 24:51 Some manuscripts do not include and was taken up to heaven.

Life Application Notes 16 notes

24:6,7The angels reminded the women that Jesus had accurately predicted al! that had happened to him (9:22, 44; 18:31-33).

24:6,7The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the church is built; without it, there would be no Christian church today. Jesus’ resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about paradise and the afterlife, and various holy scriptures. Only Christianity has a God who became human, literally died for his people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule his church forever. Why is the Resurrection so important? (1) Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth's history. Our world is now headed for redemption, not disaster. God's mighty power is at work destroying sin, Creating new lives, and preparing us for Jesus’ second coming. (2) Because of the Resurrection, we know that death has been conquered and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ. (3) The Resurrection gives authority to the church's witness in the world. Look at the early evangelistic sermons in the book of Acts: The apostles’ most important message was the preclamation that Jesus Christ had been raised from the dead! (4) The Resurrection gives meaning to the church's sacrament of the LORD's Supper. Like Jesus’ followers on the Emmaus Road, we break bread with our risen LORD, who comes in power to save us. (5) The Resurrection helps us find meaning even in great tragedy. No matter what happens to us as we walk with the LORD, the Resurrection gives us hope for the future. (6) The Resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and ruling his Kingdom. He is not a legend; he is alive and real. (7) God's power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us so that we can live for him in an evil world. Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, life-style, and even theology. But one central belief unites and inspires ail true Christians: Jesus Christ rose from the dead! (For more on the importance of the Resurrection, see 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, 12-58.)

24:11,12People who hear about the Resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story. Like the disciples, they may pass through four stages of belief: (1) At first, they may think it is a fairy tale, impossible to believe. (2) Like Peter, they may check out the facts but still be puzzled about what happened. (3) Only when they encounter Jesus personally will they be able to accept the fact of the Resurrection. (4) Then, as they commit themselves to Jesus and devote their lives to serving him, they will begin fully to understand the reality of his presence with them.

24:12From John 20:3, 4, we learn that another disciple ran to the tomb with Peter. That other disciple was almost certainly John, the author of the fourth Gospel. 24:13f The two followers returning to Emmaus at first missed the significance of history’s greatest event because they were too focused on their disappointments and problems. In fact, they didn't recognize Jesus when he was walking beside them. To compound the problem, they were walking in the wrong direction—away from the fellowship of believers in Jerusalem. We are likely to miss Jesus and withdraw from the strength found in other believers when we become preoccupied with our dashed hopes and frustrated plans. Only when we are looking for Jesus in our midst will we experience the power and help he can bring.

24:18The news about Jesus’ crucifixion had spread throughout Jerusalem. Because this was Passover week, Jews visiting the city from all over the Roman Empire now knew about his death. This was not a small; insignificant event, affecting only the disciples— the whole nation was interested.

24:33,34Paul also mentions that Jesus appeared to Peter alone (1 Corinthians 15:5). This appearance is not further described in the Gospels. Jesus showed individual concern for Peter because Peter felt completely unworthy after denying his LORD. But Peter tepented, and Jesus approached him and forgave him. Soon God would use Peter in building Christ’s church (see the first half of the book of Acts).

24:36-43Jesus’ body wasn’t a figment of the imagination or the appearance of a ghost—the disciples touched him, and he ate food. On the other hand, his body wasn’t a restored human body like Lazarus’s (John 11)—he was able to appear and disappear. Jesus’ resurrected body was immortal. This is the kind of body we will be given at the resurrection of the dead (see 1 Corinthians 15:42-50).

24:44Many days may have elapsed between verses 43 and 44 because Jesus and his followers traveled to Galilee and back before he returned to heaven (Matthew 28:16; John 21). In his second book, Acts, Luke makes it clear that Jesus spent 40 days with his disciples between his resurrection and ascension.

24:44-46The writings by Moses, the prophets, and in the Psalms refers to the entire Old Testament. In other words, the entire Old Testament points to the Messiah. For example, his role as prophet was foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15-20; his sufferings were prophesied in Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53; his resurrection was predicted in Psatm 16:9-11 and Isaiah 53:10, 11.

24:44-49Some of Jesus’ last words before his ascension

24:45Jesus opened these people’s minds to understand the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit still does this in our life today when we study the Bible. Have you ever wondered how to understand a difficult Bible passage? Besides reading surrounding passages, asking other people, and consulting reference works, pray that the Holy Spirit will open your mind to understand, giving you the needed insight to put God's Word into action in your tife.

24:47Luke wrote to the Greek-speaking world. He wanted them to know that Christ’s message of God's love and forgiveness should go to all the world. We must never ignore the worldwide scope of Christ’s Good News. God wants all the world to hear the Good News of salvation.

24:50-53As the disciples stood and watched, Jesus began rising into the air, and soon he disappeared into heaven. Seeing Jesus leave must have been frightening, but the disciples knew that Jesus would keep his promise to send the Holy Spirit to be with them. This same Jesus, who lived with the disciples, who died and was buried, and who rose from the dead, loves us and promises to be with us always. We can get to know him better by studying the Scriptures, praying, and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus.

24:51Jesus’ physical presence left the disciples when he returned to heaven (Acts 1:9), but the Holy Spirit soon came to comfort them and empower them to spread the Good News of salvation (Acts 2:1-4). Today Jesus’ work of salvation is complete, and he is sitting at God's right hand, where he has authority over heaven and earth.

24:53Luke’s Gospel portrays Jesus as a perfect life lived according to God's plan. As a child, he was obedient to his parents and amazed the religious leaders in the Temple. As an adult, he served God and others through preaching and healing, and finally, as a condemned man, he suffered without complaint. This portrayai of Jesus was well suited to Luke’s Greek audience, who placed high value on being an example and improving oneself, and who often discussed the meaning of perfection. The Greeks, however, had a difficult time understanding the spiritual importance of the physical world. To them, the spiritual was always more important than the physical. To help them understand the God-man, who united the spiritual and the physical, Luke emphasized that Jesus was not a phantom but a real human being who healed people and fed them because he was concerned with their physical health as well as the state of their souls. As believers living according to God’s plan, we, too, should obey our LORD in every detail as we seek to bring wholeness to people’s bodies and souls. If others want to know how to live a perfect life, we can point them to Jesus.

Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages

Study feature · page 1743

military and political Messiah; they didn’t realize that the Messiah had come to redeem people from slavery to sin. When Jesus died, therefore, they lost all hope. They didn’t understand that Jesus’ death offered the greatest hope possible. 24:24 These followers knew that the tomb was empty but didn’t understand that Jesus had risen, and they were filled with sadness. Despite the women’s witness, which was verified by some of the disciples, and despite the biblical prophecies of this very event, they still didn’t believe. Today the Resurrection still catches people by surprise. In spite of 2,000 years of evidence and witness, many people refuse to believe. What more wilt it take? For these disciples it took the living Jesus in their midst. For many people today, it takes the presence of alive Christians. 24:25 Even though these Jewish men knew the biblicat prophecies weil, they failed to understand that Christ’s suffering was his path to glory. They could not understand why God had not intervened to save Jesus from the cross. They were so caught up in the world’s admiration of political power and military might that they were blind to God's Kingdom values—that the last will be first, and that life grows out of death. The world has not changed its values. The suffering servant is no more popular today than he was 2,000 years ago. But we have not only the witness of the Old Testament prophets; we also have the witness of the New Testament apostles and the history of the Christian church testifying to Jesus’ victory over death. Will we confront the values of our culture and put our faith in Jesus? Or will we foolishly continue to ignore this Good News? 24:25-27 After the two followers had explained their sadness and confusion, Jesus responded by going to Scripture and applying it to his ministry. When we are puzzled by questions or problems, we, too, can go to Scripture and find authoritative help. If we, like these two, do not understand what the Bible means, we can turn to other believers who know the Bible and have the wisdom to apply it to our situation. 24:27 Beginning with the promised offspring in Genesis (Genesis 3:15) and going through the suffering servant in Isaiah (Isaiah 53), the pierced one in Zechariah (Zechariah 12:10), and the messenger of the covenant in Malachi (Malachi 3:1), Jesus reintroduced these disciples to the Old Testament. Christ is the thread woven through all the Scriptures, the centra! theme that binds them together. Following are several key passages Jesus may have mentioned on

ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS After Jesus’ death, two of his followers were walking from Jerusalem back toward Emmaus when a stranger joined them. During dinner in Emmaus, Jesus revealed himself to them and then disappeared. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the disciples the good news that Jesus was alive!

🗺 This feature includes a map, chart or picture — view the original page image.

← Luke 23 Luke — all chapters · Contents John 1 →